Veterans were already deep into the playbook in an effort to fine-tune what they learned during spring ball in April. Freshmen and transfers went through fundamentals drills and got their first taste of college football.

Whistles shrieked through the HEC signaling players to move from one drill to another. And third-year head coach Tom Journell and assistant coaches were in good voice as they shouted out instructions in varying degrees of emphasis.

Welcome to the start of football season — University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point style.

Pointers coach Tom Journell and his assistants welcomed approximately 130 players to the start of practice Sunday as preparations have begun for the start of the 2014 season against Albion (Mich.) on Sept. 6.

"It's like we have this biological clock, where something happens around Aug. 10 or 11," said Journell, who enters his third season at the helm of the Pointers with a 7-13 record, including 5-5 a year ago.

"It's awesome (to be back practicing), we love it."

The only thing missing was the unmistakable sound of shoulder pads colliding that signals football is in the air.

That will take place today — the first day NCAA Division III teams can put the pads on and do some real hitting.

Another thing missing was the green grass and fresh air present at the UWSP practice field behind Berg Gym, normally associated with the start of practice in August.

Thunderstorms passing through the area, and the presence of lightning, forced the Pointers indoors for Day 2 of the practice schedule.

"We would have been out in the rain, but not with lightning around," Journell said. "We're not happy about that, but thank God we have a fantastic facility like this, where we can get everything done we need too."

The coaches aren't the only ones glad to be back doing what they like best.

That theme was echoed by the players too.

Now is the time to see how what was installed offensively and defensively during spring practice translates for the upcoming season.

With 19 days left before opening the season against Albion (Mich.) Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. in the Spud Bowl, this is when all the hard work done in the offseason pays off.

"Everyone is happy to be back, especially the seniors, because this is our last chance to give it our all," senior linebacker Bo Seibel said. "We have a lot of seniors and we're all working on some technique things and trying to get better every day."

In order to be more productive due to the large numbers, players were split into two groups.

Veterans and upperclassmen comprised the early group, and pretty much picked up right where the Pointers left off in spring ball, spending time fine-tuning some of the schemes already in place on both sides of the ball.

Conversely, the latter group consisted of freshmen and newcomers, and there was a lot more teaching of fundamentals being done by the coaching staff.

"With the upperclassmen, it's all about attention to detail and building on what was done in spring ball. We can't waste any time, there are only 19 days until our first game," UWSP's coach said. "With the newcomers, it's about making sure they still like it here, because we work hard recruiting them."

The best part is getting to coach and teach football again.

"It's like Christmas right now or like we're on vacation, I don't look at emails or my phone or texts," Journell said. "We're in fall camp mode. This is what we do and and what we work for."

Scott A. Williams can be reached at 715-345-2282. Find him on Twitter as @SPJScottWill